When Fresno State hired Lorenzo Ward, the veteran defensive coordinator came in and learned the terminology the Bulldogs had used for four seasons so he, and not the players, would be in a study mode when going through spring practices together for the first time.
Ward pared down the play calls and simplified the scheme to make everything from the communication to the adjustments easier for the players on the field.
The idea was to get the Bulldogs back to playing defense faster, more physically and forcing turnovers like they did in 2012 when coach Tim DeRuyter installed the 3-4 and they jumped from a tie for 119th and last in the nation in turnovers gained with nine all of the way up to fifth with 35.